“Let Us End the Bloodshed”: Bishop Kukah Calls for National Unity Amid Rising Insecurity

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has expressed deep concern over the persistent wave of killings and violence across different parts of Nigeria, urging citizens to rise above religious and ethnic divisions and collectively work towards ending the bloodshed that has continued to plague the country.

Bishop Kukah made the appeal on Monday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, while delivering a review of a newly published book titled “The Man They Could Not Stop,” authored by Mr. Solomon Kumangar, a former Director General of Media and Communication to Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. The event attracted a wide array of political leaders, elder statesmen, and dignitaries from across the country.

In his remarks, Kukah lamented what he described as Nigeria’s troubling normalization of mass killings, noting that violent deaths now occur with alarming frequency, often without sufficient national outrage or accountability. According to him, the scale and regularity of the violence stand out even when compared with other countries facing political or security challenges.

“What is happening in Nigeria today is disturbing and deeply abnormal,” Kukah said. “There is no other country where people are killed in dozens on a daily basis — ten on Monday, fifty on Tuesday, one hundred on Wednesday — and yet life goes on as if nothing has happened. A nation cannot make meaningful progress under such conditions.”

The cleric further argued that Nigeria is becoming increasingly polarized along religious lines, a development he said is worsening the crisis rather than addressing its root causes. Kukah suggested that international narratives, particularly from sections of the Western media, often frame Nigeria’s security challenges strictly in religious terms, thereby reinforcing division among citizens.

“Only in Nigeria do people die as Christians or Muslims,” he said. “This dangerous labeling of victims fuels resentment and deepens suspicion. Violence must be condemned as violence — regardless of the faith or ethnicity of the victims.”

Kukah called on Nigerians to resist narratives that promote division and instead focus on strengthening national unity. He emphasized the need for political, religious, and traditional leaders to prioritize the building of strong institutions capable of guaranteeing justice, security, and peaceful coexistence.

In addition, the bishop commended former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, for his role in resolving the post-election governorship crisis that followed the 2023 general elections in Adamawa State. He described Jega’s intervention as an example of responsible leadership and commitment to democratic stability.

Also speaking at the event, former Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, urged Nigerians to place greater emphasis on competence, integrity, and leadership capacity rather than political affiliation or sentiment. Saraki argued that Nigeria’s development challenges would persist unless capable leaders are entrusted with public office.

According to him, Governor Fintiri’s record in infrastructure development and governance demonstrates preparedness for leadership and reflects the importance of performance-based evaluation of political office holders.

The Chairman of the occasion and Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, used the platform to openly court Governor Fintiri, urging him to consider joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Sule remarked that the APC was expanding its political influence across several states and expressed confidence that Adamawa could be next.

“If I had come with an APC cap and flag, I would have handed them over today,” Sule said, drawing reactions from the audience.

In his response, Governor Fintiri reflected on the challenges surrounding the 2023 governorship election, describing it as a defining moment marked by intense political struggle. He accused certain political actors of treachery, desperation, and moral compromise, but praised the resilience and support of the people of Adamawa State.

Fintiri warned that individuals he described as political pretenders and manipulators were still active within the political space, urging Nigerians not to rely solely on the justice system to confront them. Instead, he encouraged citizens to use democratic tools, particularly their votes, to resist anti-democratic forces.

The event was attended by the governors of Bauchi and Nasarawa states, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, as well as representatives from Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Taraba, and Plateau states. The book was formally unveiled by the APC Deputy National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, who called on the people of Adamawa to continue supporting Governor Fintiri’s administration.

Despite the high-profile nature of the event, Bishop Kukah’s remarks have since sparked intense public debate, with critics questioning his interpretation of the causes of Nigeria’s insecurity, while supporters defend his call for unity and institutional reform. The reactions underscore the sensitivity of Nigeria’s security discourse and the deep emotions surrounding issues of violence, religion, and governance.

As the debate continues, Kukah’s message stands as a renewed call for reflection, unity, and collective responsibility in confronting one of Nigeria’s most pressing national challenges.